Last year, US president Donald Trump took a break from golfing and live-tweeting Fox News to visit the United Kingdom. Hundreds of thousands of protesters greeted him in London, flying a vibrant, 20 foot tall blimp, depicting POTUS as a wailing, diaper-clad baby. An activist group raised more than $45K to create the comical float, however, Trump missed the visual, since he spent most of his time in Ye Olde English countryside.
During that visit, Trump held a press conference with UK Prime Minister Theresa May and met Queen Elizabeth II for tea. Critics accused him of breaking royal protocol by keeping the 93-year-old monarch waiting, failing to bow, and walking in front of her at Windsor Castle. Trump's meeting with the Queen reportedly lasted 45 minutes, a stark contrast from presidents Barack Obama and Ronald Reagan, who were invited to stay the night at Buckingham Palace. Prince Charles and Prince William declined to meet Trump.
Watch the moment the Trump baby blimp takes off[[jwplayerwidget||https://content.jwplatform.com/videos/1L3vwUgu-dkXnENEs.mp4||1L3vwUgu]]
On Tuesday, Buckingham Palace announced that President Trump will make a state visit to the UK in June. During state visits, foreign leaders typically meet members of the royal family and address lawmakers. However, CNN reports that "several members of Parliament are hoping to block Trump from speaking, and more than 60 have supported a motion calling for his invitation to be revoked."
"Deluded, dishonest, xenophobic, narcissistic, Donald Trump is no friend of Britain," tweeted David Lammy, an MP for the opposition Labour Party. "He is not fit to hold public office, let alone worthy of our country's highest honours and a banquet with the Queen. Theresa May is selling out the UK to a serial liar and a cheat."
However, Trump won't just face unfriendly lawmakers - he will also face the return of the famous blimp. "The original Trump baby blimp will definitely be back," Leo Murray, one of its creators, told CNN. "We are looking at other creative interventions we could make. We'd looked into commissioning a bigger balloon, including getting quotes for hot air balloons -- but decided against it as it's so expensive."
London Mayor Sadiq Khan approved the request to fly the blimp last year, and would need to approve another request this year. On Twitter, Trump has frequently insulted Mayor Khan, including during the wake of terrorist attacks. Should the request be approved again by officials, it's possible that this Trump will see the blimp, as he fulfills professional engagements.
"If he is going to address Parliament ... then flying him from Parliament Square again would be perfect," Murray said. "Trump Baby destroys his fantasy about how the world sees him."
On Tuesday, the White House issued a statement, claiming the state visit "will reaffirm the steadfast and special relationship between the United States and the United Kingdom." (Hopefully with President Trump coming face to face with the Trump Blimp Baby."
